Rubber boot or shoe



(No Model.)

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2 Sheets-'S'heet 1.

J. S. OWNER.

RUBBER BOOT ORSHOE.

Patented Mar. 2, 1886.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets- -Sheet 2. J. S. OWNER.

RUBBER BOOT 01131105. No. 337,190. v Patented Mar. 2, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICEQ RUBBER BOOT OR SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,190, dated March2,1886.

Application filed May 14, 1885, Serial No. 165,535. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH S. OWNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hagers town, in the county of Washington and State ofMaryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RubberSporting- Shoes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figuresof reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to rubber shoes for sporting, fishing, canoeing,and analogous uses where the feet are exposed to moisture, and wherewading or fording is done. I construct a shoe of the ordinaryhigh-quarter, lace-front, or analogous type, the exteriorbeing composedentirely of rubber, after the manner hereinafter pointed out, anddefinitely set forth in the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention in several formsoflining and several modified forms of tongue.

Figurel is a side elevation of a shoe made according to my invention,showing the wellknown rubber or fusion lining for sporting, fishing, orcanoeing purposes. Fig. 2is afront elevation of my shoe with an exteriorflap to cover the open front. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the shoe.Fig. 4 is a side elevation, showing an interior net-lining for ordinarywet-weather wear. Fig. 5 is a similar view showingawool or fleece liningfor cold-weather use.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures where they occur.

Iwould premise, before entering upon the detailed description of myshoe,that it may be made with a dull or bright finish, and that itsheight is not essential, although the high top which will embrace andprotect the ankle is preferred.

Ais the rubber sole of the shoe, and A the heel. B is the vamp, and Othe quarters. A

re-enforce piece, a, surrounds the shoe at the union of the upper withthe sole. A rear staypiece, D, covering the edges of both quarters andextcnding'well up the back of the shoe, as shown, is provided to'stiffenthe shoe at this point and prevent the separation or splitting of thequarters down the rear section. A counter, D, is provided,which extends,as shown, all around the quarters from vamp to vamp.

The fastening consists preferably of the lacing-hooks E and commonstring. It is preferred to let these hooks extend from top to bottom ofthe lacing-opening, so that all the lacing shall come upon the exteriorof the quarters, thereby making a smooth and tight joint all the way up.Eyelets may, however, if desired, be employed in lieu of these hooks.Vhether eyelets or hooks are employed, I provide for use in connectionwith them the interior clinching stay-piece, C,which is formed ofleather or other strong reliable material,for receiving the clinched endof the eyelets or hook-fastenings and secure them from tearing outthrough the rubber, which, as well known, does not afford a reliableclinching-surface. The clinching-strips are arranged along the insideedges of the front opening in the quarters, and are secured thereto bythe clinching of the rivets of the hooks or eyelets, and by anyadditional means, if desired. These pieces 0 not only serve to hold theeyelets or rivets, but also prevent the edges of the quarters from beingtorn.

F is the tongue, which may be of the ordinary pattern, as shown in Figs.1 and 5, an

outside tongue, as shown in Fig. 2, with means as buttons or buckles forengaging it on one side of the shoe while it is fixed permanently to theother side, as shown, or it may be a bellows-tongue, as shown in Fig. 4.\Vhen the said tongue is placed on the interior of the shoe, as in thepreferred form it will be, Figs. 1, 4, and 5, it will be united to thevamp at the point where the opening of the quarters terminates by fusionor union while the rub her is still in a soft or plastic state, and itwill serve to thicken and strengthen the vamp at this point, where itwould otherwise be liable to crack or split when the shoe is opened inputting it on or taking it off of the foot.

G is the lining orinterior surface of theshoe. As shown in Fig. 1, it ismade of rubber, and may be what is known as the rubber or fusion lining,or any of the other sorts of water-proof impervious material which couldwith good efiect be used for this purpose. As shown in Fig. 4 the liningis net, and in Fig. 5 the lining is fleece or wool.

These diiferent linings are to be used when the shoe is made fordifferent purposesthe rubber or fusion lining where much exposure towater is expected. as for sporting and fishing-the net for ordinarywet-weather wear, and the wool or fleece for cold weather.

It will be understood that my shoe is in tended for a substitute forleather or canvas shoes to be worn next to the foot or sock, and not asan overshoe.

It will be understood that a button-shoe or buckleshoe could be made toembody the principles which I have applied to the form shown.

What I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent isl. Arubber shoehaving high quarters,with a lacing or other fastening opening front, anda tongue united with the vamp of the shoe in the manner set forth,at thebottom of the front opening, thereby forming a strengtheningpiece atthis point to prevent the splitting of the rubber, as set forth.

2. A rubber shoe having high quarters and front lacing or otherfastening opening, with a clinching stay-piece of leather or otherstrong material placed under the rubber on each side of the frontopening, and united thereto by the clinching ofthe rivet-s of the hooksor eyelets.

3. A rubber shoe having high quarters and a rear stay or bridge piececovering the section

